NBA: Spurs start strong in Game 1

SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan scored 27 points and the San Antonio Spurs took advantage of Serge Ibaka’s absence to dominate the paint, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder, 122-105, on Monday night in the opener of the Western Conference finals.

The Thunder struggled without the defensive presence of Ibaka, who will miss the remainder of the postseason after suffering a calf injury in the Thunder’s series clincher against the Los Angeles Clippers.

San Antonio had 66 points in the paint and shot 58 percent from the field.

The Spurs fed Duncan early with Ibaka out, and the veteran responded by scoring 12 points in the first quarter, making six of his seven shots.

The Spurs beat the Thunder for the first time this season, but it wasn’t easy. Despite missing his first four shots, Westbrook continued to bull his way into the lane and it paid off as the game wore on.

Westbrook had 12 points in the third quarter, continually driving past Parker and the Spurs before they could settle in defensively.

With the exception of a pair of free throws by Derek Fisher, Westbrook and Durant scored all of Oklahoma City’s points in a 23-22 third quarter.

Ginobili closed the quarter with a pair of driving layups to extend San Antonio’s lead to 89-82. San Antonio scored the first six points of the fourth.

BRIEFS: The Golden State Warriors and Steve Kerr completed the five-year, $25 million coaching contract agreed to last week. … The Memphis Grizzlies (50-32) parted ways with team CEO Jason Levien and director of player personnel Stu Lash after the club was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.